Tyrannical Rule in Egypt Led to Sectarian Conflict, Intellectual Says

Members of the Muslim Brotherhood and supporters of ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi attend Friday prayers during a rally around Rabaa Adawiya square where they are camping, in Cairo July 26, 2013. Mursi is under investigation for an array of charges including murder, the state news agency said on Friday, stoking tensions as Egypt's opposing political camps took to the streets. The banner (bottom) reads, "People do not accept coup."

Dr. Said Sadek, a political sociology professor at the American University in Cairo, has urged the committee in charge of modifying the Egyptian constitution to be committed to human rights and freedoms, as well as to accommodate varied political views.

During a seminar held by the People's Committee of the Egyptian constitution and Beit Al-Wadi Foundation, Sadek said: "What guarantees the constitution's continuity is its ability to address the future, and its ability to eliminate social unrest … Egypt has suffered from tyranny that encouraged sectarianism."

"Any constitution giving the ruler several powers shall fall," he warned the government, while pointing out the need to adhere to the universal declaration of human rights.

For his part, journalist Mahmoud Abdel Rehim said, "The constitution is no longer the elite's issue, but rather a part of the people's liberties. It either helps make a dictator or a democratic ruler."

Rehim also discussed the need to include the right to communication and knowledge, which has been restricted for national security reasons, in addition to protect the right to peaceful protest.

Rehim pointed out that they have notified the committee of their objection of two councils, which perform the same function, namely the National Security Council and the National Defense Council, a matter that was deemed incomprehensible.